Making a decision on who should be the retailer for your home upgrades is a significant one. Lowe’s and Home Depot are the two largest home improvement giants. They both have a wide range of products and professional flooring installation services. The pricing, materials, and labor warranties are competitive. In this guide by Honest & Affordable Floor Covering LLC, they are compared directly to help you come to a decision. From hidden fees to contractor quality, we consider it all.
Flooring Installation: The Big Box Process
The local flooring installation company experience is very similar for both retailers. The store workers aren’t hired to install the floors. The store hires out to individual local specialists.
It always starts with an in-home measurement with a technician. Upon completion of the measurement, the store will provide you with a last, detailed project quote. After paying the fee, the local crew will schedule your flooring installation day.
Residential Flooring Installation Cost: A Comparison
Installation prices are extremely competitive at both stores. Both retailers often offer deals such as free carpet installation that requires a purchase of a certain amount.
Both stores often offer sales such as free carpet installation only if you buy a certain amount of carpet. But in any case, labor fees will always be present on hard surfaces such as wood, tile, and vinyl.
Home Depot’s installation program is called “ServiceProvider,” and Lowe’s is “Lowe’s Pro Services.”
They both charge a nonrefundable upfront fee of approximately $35 to $50, just to measure your rooms. This fee will be refunded to you in the form of credit when you book the project.
| Cost Element | Lowe’s Estimate | Home Depot Estimate |
| Measurement Fee | Free to (often credited) | Free to $35 – $50 (often credited) |
| Standard Labor Rate | Changes according to local market conditions | Changes according to local market conditions |
| Moving Furniture | $50 to 150 per room for basic furniture | $50 to $150 per room |
| Old Floor Disposal | Extra charge per square foot | Extra charge per square foot |
The basic estimated charges and fees for everything appear to be the same. The costs may vary at the end of service.
How to Find the Best Local Flooring Installation Company Options
The local flooring installation that you will find in these stores will vary depending on your location. Both stores are local but can differ from town to town. The employees at a single store may be more experienced in your area. All of Lowe’s and Home Depot installers go through background checks. This allows homeowners to feel more secure when allowing workers to access their homes.
When deciding which of the two stores you will visit, you should take these into account:
- Private Labels: Lowe’s has a Stainmaster carpet, and Home Depot has a Lifeproof vinyl.
- Credit Offers: They both provide 0% interest financing options of 6 to 24 months.
- Local Reviews: Check Yelp or Google reviews for the particular store location.
- Material Returns: Home Depot gives up to 90 days, and Lowe’s gives up to 90 days too.
Commercial Flooring Contractors and Large-Scale Projects
As a business owner, you require professional commercial flooring contractors for your workplace upgrade. Lowe’s and Home Depot have set up “Pro” desks for big orders. They offer volume discounts and account managers for big commercial projects.
Professional builders and commercial clients tend to prefer Home Depot, in general. They offer a large range of products specifically oriented to commercial-grade durability and availability of bulk.
| Service | Lowe’s Pro Services | Home Depot’s Service Provider |
| Targeted Audience | DIYers and property owners | Serious contractors and builders |
| Bulk Discounts | Available through the Quote Desk | Available through ProDesk |
| App Tracking | Good order tracking | Advanced tool and loyalty tracking |
| Labor Warranty | Varies by material | Varies by material |
Why Should You Trust Professional Advice?
Professionals monitor national labor rates and warranty terms of home improvement projects. This will provide you with reliable and impartial data prior to investing thousands of dollars in your home.
You get a neutral overview from professionals to make buying easy and provide factual, actionable information. Flooring experts make sure to protect consumers and help you find the best value for every penny you spend on flooring installation.
Final Thoughts:
Lowe’s is typically a good choice for people who are looking for a particular brand, such as Stainmaster. If you’re looking for a rugged, durable product with solid contractor benefits, Home Depot is the one for you.
Haste makes waste. Take time to compare the quotes from both the local companies and determine who is offering the better deal. Choose the company that better suits your floor installation needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are Lowe’s and Home Depot’s floor installations done by their own employees?
No, both stores use locally licensed independent contractors.
2. Will the in-home measurement fee be refunded?
Usually it is non-refundable but applied as a credit on your final bill.
3. Which store has a better flooring labor warranty?
Both stores will provide you with a standard 1-year warranty on installation workmanship.
4. Is it possible to purchase my own flooring material and hire them only for labor?
No, both stores ask that you go and buy the flooring material from their own store.
5. How long does the floor installation process take?
Typically 2-3 weeks from initial measurement to final install from both stores.
